Safety Mitt

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a disinfectant glove that prevents viruses from living on the surface of the embodiment thus preventing contamination. In particular, the invention allows a user to utilize gloves that kills viruses and diseases on contact. The proposed embodiment provides a unique experience for a user by providing a safe experience for the general public.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Art

The disclosure relates to a glove incorporated with antimicrobial material for disinfecting the interior and exterior surfaces of the glove upon contact with contaminated surfaces, and more particularly the invention is a reusable glove that provides a method for protecting a user from all forms of microbial contamination such as viruses, bacteria, mold spores and fungi. The embodiment kills microbial pathogens upon contact to dramatically mitigate the spread of deadly viruses while concurrently reducing environmental waste. It is worth noting that the disclosed embodiment referenced herein can be applied to both a right and left glove which is typically referenced as a pair of gloves but can also be applied to a single glove ornament.

With hands being the largest vehicle for microbial contamination that exists, protective covering is crucial.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Commercial facilities Include places such as grocery stores, airlines, casinos, food prep areas (restaurants), and malls that allow the general public to shop but are now considered high risk for health concerns due to potential exposure to pathogenic microbes. Thousands of individuals who may be suffering from domestic and foreign illnesses congregate in these areas. Most large metropolitan areas in the U.S. include a significant amount of the public shopping at grocery stores throughout the week and especially during the weekend. Historically, these venues have become more communal with people socializing around coffee bars, deli display cases and the like. U.S. News & World Report stated that a typical grocery cart handle could be home to 11 million microorganisms, including some from raw meat. Furthermore, in the case of malls, if you aren't standing next to someone who's carrying the flu virus, you are potentially touching clothing or other items that an infected person touched or coughed on recently, or within the past few days in the case of some materials. That's even before you get hungry and indulge in some mall food, which was potentially prepared by someone asymptomatically carrying the virus. Utilizing public spaces in this manner eventually exposes everyone to a threat of pathogenic exposure since complex and potentially deadly viruses exist everywhere in nature. Traditional latex and plastic gloves only allow for a single effective use and can actually contribute to the spread of harmful microbes when encountered unintentionally by third parties in the waste handling stream or when food items come in contact with a contaminated or used glove. To further elaborate, disposable gloves have a higher overall cost of use due to the fact the user generally has no the option of reusing the gloves. Furthermore, single use gloves increase landfill waste concerns and cost millions in disposal. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a novel manner of destroying harmful pathogens upon a user's contact with routinely touched surfaces to create a safer environment for the general public. What is further needed in the art is a novel invention that is reusable even after contact with contaminated surfaces. The proposed embodiment is further ideal because its ultimate purpose is to help users avoid pathogenic transfer and further diminish the cost and storage involved with traditional disposable single use gloves.

Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and other healthcare facilities will greatly benefit from the use of the antimicrobial hand coverings due to the fact that these establishments house people with compromised immune systems. All healthcare providers need to be especially cautious regarding the handling of every patient and any device that comes into contact with patients, especially the elderly.

The Safety Mitt™ will mitigate the spread of microbial agents at Schools, Daycare Centers and playgrounds where children of all ages are exposed to heightened contamination risk due to constant direct contact with one another and exposure to highly contaminated environments. Children habitually touch their faces, surfaces and one another far more frequently than adults, which increases their likelihood to be asymptomatic carriers.

The embodiment will be a key combatant against viruses in that it will allow users the benefit of wearing personal protective equipment for a much longer period that will naturally eliminate viruses upon contact with contaminated surfaces. Copper and similar antimicrobial agents have been long known to kill viruses and other harmful pathogens. With the suffusion of similar-material the current embodiment will be instrumental in fighting the spread of viruses. In a non-limiting example, the disinfectant gloves will be suffused with copper that will serve the purpose of fighting pathogens the moment the glove surface comes in contact with the infectious agent. The use of such gloves will both help to mitigate the use of ineffective latex or plastic disposable gloves and diminish a growing global environmental waste stream. Traditionally, rubber disposable gloves must be disposed of after every use; because viruses and other pathogens remain viable on latex surfaces for days, thus raising the risk of spread or exposure to the virus due to such use. Also, improper procedure used when obtaining a new pair of gloves from the container can easily contaminate the cardboard box for up to a day and/or up to three days on every other new latex/plastic glove touched within the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a disinfectant glove for private and public use.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a disinfectant glove that allows the user to kill viruses upon contact in a novel manner. What is further disclosed is a glove that provides a method for the user to easily recycle in an effort to protect the environment and providing a cost savings benefit to the user. What is further disclosed is a glove that is suffused with an antimicrobial metallic material. The material is a key component of the invention in that it provides the user the insurance of killing viruses upon contact with any contaminated surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the embodiments. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a glove in accordance with one or more aspects described herein that displays the thumb and finger portions of the glove.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a disinfectant glove, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a disinfectant glove revealing various layers, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a cross-section taken at line IV-IV of FIG. 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, an apparatus for eliminating pathogens upon contact with foreign surfaces.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one, or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two, or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an exemplary embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. One or more of the inventions may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the inventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular inventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the inventions may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventions described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing of features of one or more of the inventions that must be present in all embodiments.

Materials described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple instantiations of a material unless noted otherwise. Surfaces in some embodiments can be understood as representing segments or portions of those embodiments. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of embodiments of the present invention would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way. A description of an embodiment with several components in connection with each other does not imply that all such components are required.

The embodiment is directed generally to a disinfectant surface interface for a glove garment, and in particular to provide a viral protection for the general public by using antimicrobial material to enhance protection. Currently, gloves associated with general use, physical fitness exercise, sports training, or physical rehabilitation, for example, do not provide for particular material applications that protect a user from viruses for a prolonged period that they may come in contact with while in public as well as private forums.

Copper and similar material is ideal for the current embodiment as it provides for exterminating surrounding viruses by killing the viruses upon contact with the glove surface. As a result of a copper fortified glove the user is allowed to physically touch surfaces without the fear of picking up live viruses and thus spreading to other areas such as their home. Copper fibers are the key for such ideal embodiment as it inherently has a unique makeup that benefits from a melting process which allows copper fibers to be internally suffused and applied along the internal and external surface of the glove. As a non-limiting example, due to its inherent properties, copper and silver are considered antimicrobials that can be applied to the surface of the glove and ideally can be implemented to kill any pathogen.

Accordingly, as provided herein, in one embodiment of a glove, a glove body comprises a glove external surface defining fingers and thumb regions. Additionally, in a non-limiting example the glove comprising material made out of a combination of textile and antimicrobial material embedded along all surfaces of the glove. At least one pull loop can be attached to the glove body and further configured to attach around the finger appendages and wrist for secure wear.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. Various structures and/or features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In other instances, structures and features are shown in two-dimensional diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter. As provided herein, a glove may be devised that can provide for improved microbial protection against illnesses where viruses maybe derived from contact with foreign surfaces. The glove comprises both textile and antimicrobial properties which makes it ideal for preventing the spread of viruses.

Specifically, the glove keeps the user's hands safe during all activity considered high risk for potential for contamination (e.g., shopping, dining, sports training). For example, the glove disinfects as viruses are attached to the glove's surface due to the infused material. As an illustrative example, using (a pair of) the gloves during daily activity or similar exercises may provide benefits to individual users with particular conditions. For example, users with underlining health conditions and compromised immune systems who wear the gloves may experience an increased benefit since studies has shown that those with such health conditions can prevent severe illnesses from certain viruses if infected. Further, as an example, users who suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease are at a higher risk of dying if they fall sick from a deadly virus and so as a result at risk groups can greatly derive a benefit from wearing the Safety Mitt™.

With reference to the attached figures, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the glove comprises a glove body 100, which comprises the finger region 125 enveloping the thumb portion 130 of the user/wearer. The glove body 100 further comprises a glove body external surface 110 and a wrist aperture 135, such as for inserting the user's hand. Digit appendages (e.g., four (or fewer) fingers and/or a thumb) comprise a digit appendage external surface that extends the aperture compartment.

It will be appreciated, however, that the glove can contain any suitable number of digit appendages depending upon the needs and preferences of the wearer/user. Additionally, the glove body 100 contains a pull loop 115 for secure fit which may be utilized for ease of removal or application on either the left or right glove. Where mitigating contact with contaminated surfaces is critical, the present embodiment includes a primary pull loop along the wrist area 115 to assist the user while applying the glove. The embodiment also includes a secondary pull loop 120 that can be utilized to allow a user to remove the glove to prevent the spread of viruses by allowing the user to grasp the pull loop 120 while pulling away from the finger region (with the opposite hand) which has been proven to mitigate the spread of viruses. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the glove can comprise one or more pull loops within the finger region, such as a first pull loop attached to a first digit appendage, used for an index digit of the user, and a second digit appendage, used for a middle digit of the user. Further, in this embodiment, the glove can comprise a second pull loop attached to a third digit appendage, used for a ring digit of the user, and a fourth digit appendage, used for a little digit of the user. As an example, the first and second pull loops can be used to facilitate removal of the glove from the wearer/user's hand, such as by grasping the pull loops using the wearer's other hand and pulling toward the tips of the wearer's digits (e.g., away from the wrist). Furthermore, an additional pull loop can be attached to the wrist area of the glove to help facilitate pulling the glove toward the wrist region during application.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, indicates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment 200 revealing several layers of material used on the glove. As an example, the glove may be formed out of a layer made of plastic, rubber, and copper (surface region) materials 210 but not limited to this list of material and can be designed from other material such as latex, neoprene, vinyl, nylon, one or more elastomers, woven fabrics, real and/or artificial leathers, etc. The materials can overlay one another and/or be arranged in any suitable manner (e.g., stitched together) to achieve a desired configuration, interrelation and/or cooperation. By way of example, one or more portions of the assembled materials can have a desired thickness while one or more other portions may have a different desired thickness. For example, similar or varying thicknesses can yield a desired balance of weight, flexibility, elasticity, stiffness, resiliency, durability and/or breath-ability for the user/wearer, depending on a type of activity, level of comfort, and/or desired durability. The glove will also include a middle layer 220 that may be manufactured from any suitable cut and puncture resistant material 215 and will be suffused with antimicrobial chemical. Additionally, the embodiment will also be designed with an inner-surface 225 that will be suffused with antimicrobial chemicals as well to add an extra barrier of viral protection for the user.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one layer is comprised of copper material or other comparable material. The digit appendages 315 can be made from any of the above material in an ideal embodiment. In one embodiment, copper material will be applied to the external layer 310 of the garment within but not limited to the rear portion of the glove garment of the schematic view.

It will be appreciated that the special copper material described above may be utilized in conjunction or combination with other material as designated. For example, the glove can comprise a middle layer 325 in the perspective view, such as integrated on the mid surface of the glove as well as suffused within all portions of the glove body material.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the Safety Mitt™ is designed to include at least one finger compartment 315 or a single compartment for a user's fingers to be inserted. The schematic view discloses a rear portion of the glove along with the finger compartment 315 as well as the thumb region 320, a pull loop 330. The schematic shows various layers of the embodiment. The external layer 310 is pulled back in a manner to reveal the middle layer 325 of the embodiment to disclose other material layers IV.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 In an ideal embodiment, the Safety Mitt™ will be designed to include various layers that are essential for users. The Safety Mitt™ is designed to provide cut and puncture resistance material 410, and water-resistant properties 420 infused within the external surface 425 of the embodiment. The various layers of material will be of sufficient dexterity to be reused multiple times before the use of a new hand covering is required. It will be appreciated by users, that the embodiment Is washable. The material used for the embodiment will be chemically infused and topically applied with antimicrobial material along both the exterior surface 425 and the interior surface 430 to help prevent contamination of pathogens. The embodiment is embedded with a system of cut and puncture resistant material 415 throughout the middle and inner layers. Where there are public spaces that allow a large number of people to congregate it should be appreciated that the Safety Mitt™ will be designed to eliminate the spread of viruses. This ability will provide the user with broader options to keep their environment safe for the public.

In an embodiment, the Safety Mitt™ will be designed to be disposable once used and placed in specially made recyclable bin. In a non-limiting example, the embodiment is unique in that the material will be able to be converted into a resin to be re-introduced to raw material to make other finished materials.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a glove in accordance with one or more aspects described herein that displays the thumb and finger portions of the glove, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a disinfectant glove, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a disinfectant glove revealing various layers, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a cross-section taken at line IV-IV of FIG. 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications of the various embodiments described above. Accordingly, the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disinfectant glove comprising: a glove body having a textile composition including layers suffused of an antimicrobial metallic material, said glove body defining an inner surface and an exterior surface; and an antimicrobial coating overlying the exterior surface of said glove body and defining a user-contacting surface of the glove, said antimicrobial metallic material comprising a network material within which is retained an active agent capable of killing microbial pathogens and resisting water imparting a benefit to a user, wherein said active agent is located along the surface of said material when said coating is contacted with an aqueous environment.
 2. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, wherein said disinfectant glove body is formed of one or more layers.
 3. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one or more layers of said glove body material has an antimicrobially effective amount of antimicrobial copper incorporated throughout said layers.
 4. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, wherein a coating of said antimicrobial metallic material can also be applied along the exterior surface of said glove body.
 5. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, wherein said glove body is made of cut resistant material.
 6. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, wherein said glove body includes a pull loop affixed to a rear portion of said glove body.
 7. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 6, wherein said pull loop can be further attached to either a finger appendage and a wrist portion of the embodiment.
 8. A disinfectant glove as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional antimicrobial agent.
 9. A disinfectant glove of claim 8, wherein said at least one additional agent is selected from the group consisting of: oligodynamic metals, such as silver, zinc, titanium and gold, triclosan, silane, fluorescent material, dextran sulfate, halogen releasing agents, extract of blue green algae, antimicrobial polymers, and any combinations thereof. 